Trials of Faith Prepare Us for Battle (2) - UBBS 10.22.2023 - David Eells

Trials of Faith Prepare Us For Battle (2) 

(audio)

David Eells - 10/22/23 

The Desert Shed 

Anonymous 4/20/23 (David’s notes in red) 

 

I dreamed that I was given an opportunity to go stay at an Airbnb for a few weeks for free, and I was going to spend that time fasting and focusing 100% on God to get closer to Him. (It is good to fast from the world and the flesh to seek God. An Airbnb represents trusting in the heavenly provision for food and covering.) 

I wasn't sure where the Airbnb was because someone took care of all the details and paid for it so it was free for me. (This is a spiritual place where Jesus paid for everything and has taken care of every detail of our lives with His life.) I had to go on a small private plane (representing being led into the wilderness through heavenly places in Christ.) to get there, and the plane flew into a desert (wilderness) where there was literally no one else. (It is our individual fellowship with the Lord like a feast of individual tabernacles.) There were barely any trees and the dirt was a bright orange color. (The dirt represents the flesh and its bright orange because of the burning heat of the sun/Son in the fiery trials of the wilderness.)  

As we flew further out into the barren desert, I started feeling God's presence stronger and stronger; I assume it was because it's more into God’s creation and there are less spirits out there. (When we go into the wilderness, that’s where the Lord reveals Himself to each of us personally. The desert is where we learn to trust and be dependent on God only. Moses (a type of the Man-child) fled Egypt into the desert and was there 40 years (1st time), which was his tribulation before he was qualified to lead the Israelites through the desert (2nd time) for another 40 years. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert where He was tempted by satan, and He spent much time alone in the desert mountains fasting and praying. The apostle Paul received the revelation of Jesus Christ and the Gospel from the Lord while he was alone in Arabia.) 

As I was looking down, my flesh had slight fear of how strong God's presence was and I knew that the old man was dying just by being here and the Holy Spirit was rising. Pro 9:10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Psa 119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; And I am afraid of thy judgments. 

The plane landed in the desert area next to a silver shed. (The silver shed represents our spiritual tabernacle in the wilderness. Silver is the refining and purifying away of the dross (flesh). Pro 17:3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts. Psa 12:6 The words of Jehovah are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, Purified seven times.)  

There was a small old-looking house not far from the shed that looked abandoned. (The small old, abandoned house represents our old carnal life which we gave up to follow the Lord into our spiritual wilderness.) I got out, and the pilot said he would pick me up in a few weeks, and he went back into the air, and I went and walked around the shed. There was no internet service for reception (no worldly electronic distractions) and no way to get help from man or self-works. The Airbnb was a large open plain shed without a door. (The veil has been torn by what Jesus did at the cross so we can come directly into the presence of our Father in the Holy of Holies.)  

Inside, it had a table with chairs, (to partake of the Table of the Lord) there was a small room with a door, and inside to the right there was a bed. (to enter the rest) Located outside the shed was an outdoor shower and toilet. (This represents cleansing our soul of the defilements of flesh and spirit; our sanctification. It is done outside because nothing unclean can come into the Holy of Holies.)  

Although there wasn’t much there, I was completely satisfied. (The soul is satisfied and sustained with the Word in the presence of the Lord. Isa 58:11 and Jehovah will guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in dry places, and make strong thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.) This is a place in the wilderness with no distractions of the world. (Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days. (3 ½ years) 

I explored the area and found that there was a cliff edge over the ocean and the land was so very high up. (This represents Mt. Zion and the promised land high above the ocean representing the peoples tribes etc..) The temperatures were not as hot as I was expecting but it was still warm with a nice breeze. (When we go willingly into our own wilderness to let the Lord do His refining work in us, the trials are not as hot as they could be if we resist what God wants to do in our sanctification process. 2Co 12:9 And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.)  

I spent the time here growing closer to the Lord and staying here was a big help to crucify my flesh spiritually and physically. 

 

 

Saved From Leviathan 

Marie Kelton 7/10/23 (David’s notes in red) 

During the meeting I had an open vision of a desert place. (The wilderness) I saw a stone or concrete slide that was next to a small body of water. The water was a turquoise color. (Turquoise is a blue-green color and often associated with “waters of the Caribbean.” These waters appear very clear and blue because they are shallow, and there is a lack of Plankton, which are a crucial source of food in the sea. These waters could represent taking a vacation, which the world does. It represents a distraction from the daily grind.  But the Body of Christ should stay focused on eating the Word of God and continuing to serve the Lord.) I saw my spirit man get on a slide and slide into the water. When my spirit man went into the water, it was very deep. In the water was a huge, long black creature; I knew it was Leviathan. 

Leviathan (the serpent) swam around my spirit man, like it was about to attack her. My spirit reached up like she was trying to escape. I then saw the hand of Lord come down and pull my spirit man out of the water and placed her on the land that was on the other side of the body of water. (Psa 18:16-17 He sent from on high, he took me; He drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, And from them that hated me; for they were too mighty for me. Psa 31:8 And thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; Thou hast set my feet in a large place. Psa 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, held me up.) 

My spirit man then turned toward the desert with her back toward the body of water. (I knew that meant that I had to continue to walk through the wilderness.) (We should not entertain vacations from the wilderness training grounds for the promised land is where that leads.) 

I asked the Lord what the body of water was, the Leviathan was in. I heard Him say, "Waters of deception." (These are fleshly appealing luxuries we cannot afford if we want to win the race.)  Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. Col 2:4 This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. 

The Lord will destroy the old serpent when He’s done tempting us. Psa 74:14 Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces; Thou gavest him to be food to the people inhabiting the wilderness. (Babylon is being plundered to build the Kingdom.) Isa 27:1 In that day Jehovah with his hard and great and strong sword will punish leviathan the swift serpent, and leviathan the crooked serpent; and he will slay the monster that is in the sea.) 

 

 

Light Track 

Samuel Fire 1/11/23 (David’s notes in red) 

I saw a tall mountain (Mt Zion) from a distance. Then I saw many people making a journey to the top. (Many people start out with us on the Way to holiness and maturity.) However, most of the people took different paths to get there. Some did follow the same parts of another’s path but took diversions and added length and time to the journey. (We are to follow Jesus and keep His ways, not turning to the left or the right. When we try to go another way, it takes more time and effort, and if we are diverted we have to start over. The Israelites’ journey through the wilderness could have been a very short journey to the Promised Land but sin, rebellion and unbelief made it longer and some died there.) Deu 5:32-33 Ye shall observe to do therefore as Jehovah your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 Ye shall walk in all the way which Jehovah your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess. 

I then saw who resembled to be the Lord Jesus at the very peak and there was a path He made for them to follow along the mountain. (The Lord leads us up to high places; He is calling many to come and follow Him.) (Isa 30:21 and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it; when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Psa 23:1-3 A Psalm of David. Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.) Psa 5:8 Lead me, O Jehovah, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; Make thy way straight before my face. Pro 8:20 I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice; 

It seemed that each of the people making the trek up the mountain had a map and some ignored it, and some followed as close as possible. (The Word of God (Jesus) is our map. When Jesus called His disciples, He said, “Follow Me” and “I am the way”. Some follow Jesus closely and others ignore what God has said.) Joh 1:1 In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life:… 

(Psa 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path. Psa 43:3 Oh send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me: Let them bring me unto thy holy hill, And to thy tabernacles. Pro 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life) 

It felt that all these people making the journey to the top are brethren with different trials and types of life (And different callings), that’s why there were different paths. NENT Eph 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the world’s foundation, that we be holy and without blemish before him in love: Jer 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations. 

Then I saw in another vision, individual light rays coming from a lightbulb, illuminating a room. All the light rays travelled outwardly separately and independent of one another and filled the room with the light source. (The source of Light that filled the room is the Lord Jesus, and the room represents each individual who make up the one Body of Christ.) Joh 8:12 Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

(Joh 12:36 While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light. 2Co 4:6 Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.) 

NENT Rom 12:4-5 For even as we have many members in one body, but all the members have not the same office: 5 so we, the many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. 

Then I saw how if the direction of the light rays were to return to the source, the quickest path is to go directly in a straight path. But each ray was never in the same spot as another, and none would reach the source if being diverted or blocked. (Jesus said His words are spirit and life and our born-again spirit returns to the Lord.)  

(Joh 3:13 And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven. Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.  Ecc 12:7 and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.) Isa 40:3 The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God. Psa 107:7 He led them also by a straight way, That they might go to a city of habitation. 

 

 

Seeking In Secret 

Anonymous 12/17/22 (David’s notes in red) 

 

I heard in prayer and The Lord spoke: 

He said, “Shut out everything.” (Close off all distractions, the enemy always uses everything he can to distract us from seeking God’s presence and to distract us from staying in God’s rest.) (Seeking His will through the trials is a test of Faith and devotion to the Word. Just as Job gave acknowledgement and glory to God during his trials. Job 1:8 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil.) 

He said, “Prayer closet.” (Dedicate more of your time to God and His Spirit, not the flesh.) (“You have not because you ask not.” Being intimate with God in prayer has eternal rewards. Distractions will try to steal this time with God.) 

He said, “Have patience.” (Knowing that your prayers will be answered in His perfect time.)  Jas 1:3-4  knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience.  4  And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. Rom 5:3-5 And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; 4 and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: 5 and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us. (“He that endureth to the end shall be saved.”) 

He said, “Speak out when you can see the enemy attack, call out to Me.” (Alert the Saints and respond to duty. God sends these tests to cause us to get in line with His Word so the enemy has no advantage.) (There is safety in numbers because some brethren may have overcome some specifics that we have not encountered. It is not only Christ in you, but in your brothers and sisters too.) 

He said, “Turn up the heat, get into deep, fervent and desperate prayer!” (“The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much.” “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”)

He said, “Laugh the enemy to scorn for he does this all the time.” (Calling out the enemy’s bluff and stay in the resolve of Jesus and the truth of the Word.) (The majority of trials are enemy lies, or a twisted truth to deceive. Symptoms, curses and afflictions – never last. Only Jesus is the everlasting!) 

He said, “That test is to turn it all back for what it is.” (Refute and retake the stolen things back from the enemy.) (Act 3:20-21 and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus:  21  whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old.)

He said, “In humility give all gratefulness that nothing is done for you or to you, unless I allow it.” (Praise God in all things, praise Him for He is in control, and we can trust Him only.) (Psa 149:6-9 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand;  7  To execute vengeance upon the nations, And punishments upon the peoples;  8  To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron;  9  To execute upon them the judgment written: This honor have all his saints. Praise ye Jehovah.) 

He said, “Seek Me in fear and gladness for everything.”

He said, “Bring the life of Christ into the open.” (Reveal the greatest of things for all to experience.) (Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.) 

He said, “Love all and be showing the example of Him.” (God through us to others.) (Rom 13:8 ASV  Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.) 

He said, “See that nothing is allowed into Me unless passes the test of being in the image of My Son.” (Nothing of self or evil can ever imitate.) (A final result of our trials is more of Christ revealed. “Christ in you the hope of glory.”) 

He said, “As you look to Me by the Word and heart, you can see I look through all things.” (There is nothing that can be hidden from God.) (Only the wicked do not believe He sees all and will do anything about it.)  

He said, “When you see that you need Me in everything and when you are that desperate, you can see Me in others too.” (Everyone is in dire need for more of the Lord Jesus and His salvation.) 

He said, “Pray in tongues and write down interpretation you get.” (Exercising the gifts to be trained and gain experience.) 

He said, “Seeking the Lord in servitude and want.” (Nothing for selfish gain) (But to serve the Kingdom.)

He said, “Draw close to Him” (Honestly and sincerely prefer The Lord as priority always.) (Talk to Him for He desires our fellowship.)

He said, “Fan the flames that burn the traps and attacks.” (Nothing can withhold you when the fire of the Lord burns everything evil. Praise and worship engulfs the evil.) 

He said, “Add to the fire the fuel of the Word and continue to add each verse in thought as it burns.” (Keep the fire burning with explosive power) 

He said, “The light shines as the flames burn brighter in the zeal and desire of the Father.” (Love burns so hot, it eliminates all darkness.) 

(Return us Lord into Your wonderful garden and keep us hedged around and protected from all evil, under Your wings, in Your promises.)  

 

The Fiery Trial to Overcome the Flesh 

David Eells  

You know, we have to make decisions. Every day we’re faced with a decision. If you decide the easy way, which is the flesh way, then you say, “Okay, devil, you can rule over this flesh.” That’s what you’re really saying. Of course, we can see it across the country, too – people who are so-called Christians rising up against the government and actually being used of the enemy who is going to invade this country. But God said, My power is made perfect in weakness (2Co.12:9). (9) And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for [my] power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  

We need to see how the power of God comes to those who will enter into weakness of self. The commands, many of the principles, but also the commands of God, are to put us into a position of weakness. If you obey the commands of Christ, you will be weak and you’ll cease from your works. You will not be able to handle the situation yourself. You will have to trust in God to do it, if you obey His commands. (2Co.13:4) For he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you. Weakness brings the power of God.  

Weakness brings crucifixion in the flesh, but it also brings the power of God to bring resurrection. Resurrection life is what we’ve all wanted from God, but many times we won’t pay the price for it. We ask God for the fruit of Jesus to live in us, but before you can have the fruit, you have to give up the lust. The two war against one another, they seek to occupy the same territory in your life. They can’t both live together. The lust must be crucified in order for the new man to live in you and for the fruit to be borne. Anger and forgiveness can’t be in the same place. You can do one or you can do the other, but you won’t do both.  

Christ was crucified through weakness. He obeyed God’s word to Him. As a matter of fact, it appears to be a command to Him and He passed on that command to us. To me, it’s one the most important commands in all of the Scriptures for those who want to bring forth fruit. (Isa.50:5) The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward. (6) I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (7) For the Lord God will help me; therefore have I not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.  

You’ll recognize this as a prophecy about Jesus. But His ears were open to the Lord’s command and His command to Jesus was that He was to give His back to the smiters and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. That command has been passed on to us. It wasn’t a request; it was a command. (Mat.5:38) Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: (39) but I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. (40) And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.  

(41) And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two. (42) Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. The reason I say that this is such an important command of Jesus is because of our human nature. The lusts of the flesh rise up against a person who wants to obey these Scriptures. You can imagine in your mind turning the other cheek, either in word or in deed or in action of some kind, and you know what kind of lusts rise up inside of you when you try to do this.  

There’s a war that goes on inside you when you do this. Jesus fought that war. (Gal.5:19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these:] fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) idolatry, sorcery (from here on you can identify these as having to do with this command), enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, (21) envyings (maybe some of these don’t apply so much), drunkenness, revelings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. These things must be put to death.  

You know, the Lord has given us a method to put these works of the flesh to death. He spoke to me one time and He said, “You don’t get resurrection life before you get death.” That was at a time I was trying to bring some people into resurrection life and they weren’t entering into the death part. If you want fruit, these lusts have to die. They have to die on this side of Heaven. That’s the purpose of God. God’s grace delivers from sin; it doesn’t just cover sin. Yes, it’s wonderful that it covers sin, but that’s just for the meantime so that you can have fellowship with God until you manifest its full deliverance.

Jesus came to do away, to destroy the works of the devil and that’s what we’re talking about here. Most of these lusts are affected by just one command of Jesus and they’re put to death by obedience to just one command of Jesus, and that is, “Resist not him that is evil.” It’s one of the most important and most neglected doctrines in all of the Scriptures. This regards bearing our cross of death to self. We are to resist the Devil and to defend the weak. 

Let’s read on. (Gal.5:22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. (24) And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. Well, the Lord said that we had to take up our cross and follow Him as in Matthew 16:24. We just saw that “he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God” (2Co.13:4).  

If we’re going to enter into the resurrection life of Jesus in the earth, we have to enter into this death. We have to take up our cross. I don’t think many people realize that Jesus always bore a cross. It wasn’t just at the end of His life. He bore a cross His whole life by denial of self. He “hath been in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin” (Heb.4:15). And “each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed” (Jas.1:14). Jesus was “of the seed of David according to the flesh” (Rom.1:3).  

I know a lot of people don’t believe that, but I’m just quoting what the Bible says. According to the Spirit, He was the Son of God (Romans 1:4), but according to the flesh, He was of the seed of David. You know what? He was tempted. That flesh Jesus had was real flesh. He was a great God because He came down in the likeness of sinful flesh and overcame sin in the flesh (Romans 8:3).  

But He bore a cross all of His life and that cross was to deny self, to deny the old man to live through Him. He wouldn’t permit the lusts of the flesh to speak or to live through Him. And we have to take up our cross and follow Him or we cannot be His disciple. Taking up our cross is to walk as He walked. We probably won’t be called upon to bear the physical cross of Jesus, but we’re definitely called upon to bear this spiritual cross that He always bore as to the denying of self.  

The commands of Jesus put you in a position of weakness. If you obey them, your flesh is going to squirm and it’s going to writhe and it’s going to try to rise up on the inside of you. It’s going to tell you, “No, don’t believe that doctrine,” but it’s just too prevalent, too common in the Scriptures to deny it. Jesus said, “resist not him that is evil” (Mat.5:39). I tell you, your flesh rises up on the inside of you and it says, “No, no, no! Hit back, talk back, do something, get even!” That flesh just doesn’t want to die. It’s a crucifixion.  

You can always tell when the flesh is in trouble because it squeals like a stuck pig. If you don’t ever go against it, you don’t ever hear it squeal, but I can tell you that the commands of Jesus are going to put you at variance with the flesh. They’re going to cause the flesh to be seen by you very plainly. It’s easy, before you read the Scriptures, to think you’re doing pretty well, that everything’s alright. Then you start reading the Scriptures and you see commands like this and, if you start to obey them, you’ll find out what lives in you. You’ll find out what’s way down inside of you when it shows its ugly head and when you go against it, that’s where the power of God takes over.  

We want the fruit of the Spirit, but before the fruit of the Spirit comes the crucifixion of the lusts. Jesus taught us. He was an example to us. A lot of people think He was an example so that we wouldn’t have to die. No, Jesus didn’t die so that we wouldn’t have to die. Jesus died so that we could die. I’m talking about dying spiritually, dying to self, not about dying physically, but dying to self. He died to make it possible for us to die.  

Those who refuse to take up their cross and follow Him, those who refuse to obey His commands, are refusing to be disciples. It doesn’t matter that they call themselves Christians. I want to show you that Jesus turned the other cheek, but He did it as an example to us. When Jesus was before Pilate and the Sanhedrin He resisted not the evil. He did turn the other cheek.  (Mat 27:12-13 ASV  And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.  13  Then saith Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?)  He had the power to say “No” to the flesh. He had more power than the disciples understood He had because they thought they were going to save Him with the sword.  

(Mat.26:52) Then saith Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. He said, “Don’t you know I could call more than 12 legions of angels (Matthew 26:53)?” Look, Jesus had power they didn’t know of to keep from going to the cross. He didn’t have to resort to man’s arm of the flesh. One angel in the Old Testament killed 185,000 men in 2 Kings 19:35, and Jesus is talking about calling 72,000 angels here. That’s power! Christians need to realize that their power is not in the arm of the flesh. Their power is in the Kingdom of Heaven, but that power shouldn’t be used when you’re going to the cross. That power should be used to fulfill God’s Will.  

In the very next verse after Jesus said, “Don’t you know I could call more than 12 legions of angels?” He said, “how then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be” (Mat.26:54)? We want the Scriptures to be fulfilled in us, which is the manifestation of Christ; however, they won’t be fulfilled, if you refuse to go to your cross. Just as Jesus had a free will and He could have called the 12 legions of angels, we have a free will and we could, in many cases, walk away from our cross. But that doesn’t mean we won’t be faced with it again. We will be faced with it again and again because God is merciful. And we’ll be faced with it until we get it right or just run out of time because we are running out of time.  

We’ve been put here to bear fruit and we’ve been given a certain amount of time to do that. There’s a door closing on the other end of this life. My wife saw a vision like that, on a treadmill. The door ahead was closing. We had to run faster and faster in order to get through the door before it closed. The treadmill was imperceptibly picking up speed going in the opposite direction and we had to run faster and faster. That’s the way the world is. The world is picking up speed going in the opposite direction, but there’s a door closing.  

We’re running a race but, let me say, this is not a race against one another; this is a race against time. There’s a door closing. You have to bear fruit or else you’ll be called what the Scripture and Jesus called an “unprofitable servant” cast forth into outer darkness (Matthew 25:30). There’s no such thing as bearing fruit without the cross. I’m going to point out just a few of Jesus’ commands and show you that when you obey them, they put you in a position of weakness. You cannot defend yourself. You cannot hit back. You cannot do any of the things that your flesh wants because, if you do, your flesh will live and it will get stronger.  

(Rom.8:13) For if ye live after the flesh (in other words, if you walk in submission to the flesh), ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. We want the new man to live and there’s only one way that can happen – the old man has to die. They live in the same house. The spiritual man was supposed to go into the Promised Land and kill that enemy and live in his house and we are, in one parallel, that promised land. That spiritual man is Christ in us and He’s the spiritual man in every one of us Who seeks to take over this vessel.  

(1Pe.2:18) Servants, [be] in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. (19) For this is acceptable (the literal translation is actually “grace”), For this is grace, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. Grace? That’s right. God sends us through grace down here on this earth. Sometimes we don’t look on it as grace, but it’s wrongful suffering. He calls it grace. That’s the original word there. We have to go through suffering. (Act.14:22) … Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.  

We must go through suffering because the flesh doesn’t die without suffering. If you’re not suffering, then you’re not ceasing from sin. Peter said, He that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin (1Pe.4:1). That’s because when you’re suffering, when the flesh is suffering – and I’m talking about that entity of the old man in you, the mind of the flesh in you – when that old man is suffering, it means that he’s not getting his way. I’m not talking about this physical flesh suffering, you understand. I’m talking about that entity that lives in us that wants to gratify self. If he’s not suffering, you’re not bearing the cross; you’re not obeying the commands of Jesus.  

So Peter called it “grace” here. (1Pe.2:20) For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted [for it,] ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it,] ye shall take it patiently, this is grace with God. The last thing we want is to do right and to have wrong done to us in return. We want justice. We want our rights. The flesh demands its rights, but the flesh is a dead man. We reckon the old man to be dead unto sin (Romans 6:11) and dead men don’t demand rights. Dead men don’t have rights. You can slap them on one cheek and they’ll turn the other one every time. That’s the way Jesus commanded us.  

If you want that old man to die, then don’t feed him. Just don’t obey him and he’ll die. This is grace with God. (1Pe.2:21) For hereunto were ye called…. We were called to suffer wrongfully, to suffer in what the world would call “wrongfully.” In other words, we’re called to suffer when we do right. (1Pe.2:21) For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: (22) who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (23) who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously.  But when we are called to defend the flock from wolves we should point out their sin as was done in scripture.

In other words, Jesus left judgment, wrath and payback in the hands of God, concerning self. Peter said Jesus left this example to us so that we should follow in His steps. Every day we’re going to have an opportunity to do this. There’s just no way you could live in this life without having an opportunity to do this. Don’t waste your time. Redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16), the Scripture says. This is what we’re here for. Suffering is one of God’s greatest methods, to put to death your flesh so that Christ can live in you.  

(1Pe.3:13) And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good? (14) But even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed [are ye:] and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; (15) but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: [being] ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: (16) having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.  

(17) For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. (18) Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. We can see a spiritual type there in the life of Christ. When he resisted not the evil, he was put to death in the flesh, but he was made alive in the spirit. This is a spiritual type for us because, if we want to be made alive in the spirit, we must be put to death in the flesh. (1Pe.4:14) If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed [are ye;] because the [Spirit] of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.  

(15) For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: but if [a man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. (17) For the time [is come] for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if [it begin] first at us, what [shall be] the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? (18) And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? (19) Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God (That doesn’t fit the prosperity doctrine very well, does it?) commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. Commit your soul unto a faithful creator.  

Jesus obeyed His own command in Matthew 5:39 and He was crucified for it. I can imagine several places where He could have interjected just a little bit of truth and totally turned the situation around, such as when He talked about, “destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (Joh.2:19). Of course, he spake of the temple of his body (21), but that’s not what was brought out at the trial by the Sanhedrin and I never saw Him even objecting to it, though He knew what He was meaning. He didn’t bother to stick up for Himself. 

There’s one person from the Old Testament who really impressed me with his understanding of not resisting him that is evil and that’s David. He obeyed this. I’ve seen probably a half-dozen to a dozen good examples of where David obeyed this doctrine. He seemed to be way ahead of his time in an understanding of what it was that pleased God. He seemed to be almost walking in New Testament revelation in some areas of this resisting not evil and it definitely bore fruit in his soul.  

(Psa.38:12) They also that seek after my life lay snares [for me,] And they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all the day long. (13) But I, as a deaf man, hear not; And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. (14) Yea, I am as a man that heareth not, And in whose mouth are no reproofs. (15) For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God. David put his trust in God to bring about justice, just as the Lord did (1 Peter 2:23), and not with his own tongue, nor in his own strength. In fact, as we read on here, you’ll see that David knew and understood God’s purpose.  

You know, it’s a fiery trial when you resist not the evil, no matter what form it is. This so-called righteous indignation rises up on the inside of you wanting justice, but listen, folks, we can’t afford justice. Nobody reading this can afford justice. We want mercy. With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful (Psa.18:25). If you get justice, you’re in trouble. Did you know that? God gives justice to some and He gives mercy to others (Romans 9:21-23). Christians get mercy. The world doesn’t always get mercy. But, I’ll tell you what, the only thing we better show to the world is mercy because God’s going to be merciful and forgiving to those who are merciful and forgiving. And to those who are not merciful, He’s going to give justice. Mat 18:34-35 ASV  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due.  35  So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not everyone his brother from your hearts. Justice is not what we can afford.  

Everybody doesn’t even get a revelation of God in this world, but they get justice because every man is going to reap what he sows (Galatians 6:7). People ask, “What do you do with the wicked who never hear the name of Christ?” No problem. They’re going to get justice being judged by their own conscience. Everybody in this world is going to at least get justice, but the Christians, the true Christians, are going to get mercy and grace.  

God’s not doing wrong by doing that because He’s at the very least giving justice to people. But we better pray that we don’t get justice because that means we’ll pay for what we’ve done and what we are doing that is wrong. David understood this and Jesus understood this. So David says, “for I said, Lest they rejoice over me: When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me” (Psa.38:16). (17) For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me. (18) For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.  

(19) But mine enemies are lively, [and] are strong; And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. (20) They also that render evil for good Are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good. (21) Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. (22) Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation. (39:1) I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me. (2) I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred. (3) My heart was hot within me; While I was musing the fire burned; [Then] spake I with my tongue: (4) Lord, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me to know how frail I am.  

You know, when David resisted not the evil, when he kept his mouth shut when he was really being pressured to speak up, he said the fire burned in him. Have you ever felt that fire? I have. It’s just like a real fire burning in you. It’s a fiery trial that’s come to prove you and to burn up the wood, hay and stubble. 

You know, we’ve been told that the fiery trial is in the next life, but that’s as big a lie as has ever been told. (1Co.3:12) But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) each man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man’s work of what sort it is. Here is where you go through the fiery trial to burn up the wood, hay and stubble, not in the next life. The Bible says “the day shall declare it.”  There are no days in eternity.

This is where the fiery trial comes. But you can avoid the fiery trial very easily. All you have to do is not obey the commands of Jesus. If you don’t obey Him, it’s easy to avoid those kinds of trials and quite often we’ll go around them, but what we’re doing is putting off the day of crucifixion and the day of bearing fruit. God wants to motivate us with many, many Scriptures that today is the day of salvation. Today is God’s day of deliverance 2Co 6:2  (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):

I found many places where David understood this. One of them is when Nabal’s herds had been protected by David and his men out in the wilderness (1 Samuel 25:16). By the way, Nabal means “fool.” And David’s men were sent to Nabal to get some supplies for his men, who were living in the wilderness, and Nabal answered them very roughly and sent them back without any help (1 Samuel 25:10,11,14). So David had decided, “I’ll just go over there and take his head off” (1 Samuel 25:22).  

Meanwhile, Nabal’s wife, who was a very understanding and wise woman, decided she was going to go meet David and ask his forgiveness and she did (1 Samuel 25:24). And one thing she said is, “Thank God that the Lord has withheld you from avenging yourself at your own hand” (1 Samuel 25:26,31). She said that twice. Then David thanked her for her part in bringing that to pass (1 Samuel 25:32,33).  

You know, there’s something wrong about us avenging ourselves with our own hand. (Rom.12:19) Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath [of God:] for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.  He said, if you do this, “thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head” (20). In other words, it’s God’s job to repay. If we repay, then God has to whip us because we’ve been commanded over and over not to repay. If we do it, He’s going to whip us, but He doesn’t have to whip them.  

I’ll give you an example. If you have two kids and you tell them, “Now, look, don’t you hit back. If so-and-so does something to you, you come and tell me; I’ll take care of it. If one of them hits back, then the other one has already gotten his punishment. In that case, why should I hit him again? I’m going to have to hit you since you’re the one who needs the whipping because you disobeyed me.” Here’s the point. This is the way God does things. If He tells us. “Don’t do it,” there’s a purpose in it. (Eph.6:12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. What we can do must be done in the spirit; it must be done through the power of faith. It can’t be done in the flesh. We can be used of God to speak prophetic words that bring judgment on those who harm and kill his people but this should not be personal vengeance.

Let me show you a really good example of this from David. (2Sa.16:5) And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out, and cursed still as he came. (6) And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. (7) And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Begone, begone, thou man of blood, and base fellow: (8) the Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned … 

Well, I don’t know if Shimei knew it or not, but David had opportunity about three times to kill Saul. It was in his hand to do it and he wouldn’t do it. He wouldn’t resist the evil. He wouldn’t repay. He left that to the Lord and the Lord took care of that. The Lord used the Philistines to take Saul and almost his whole family out (1 Samuel 31:6), but He didn’t blame David for it. David even had to dodge some of Saul’s spears and his evil spirits (1 Samuel 18:11, 19:10).

And Shimei continued his railing… And the Lord hath delivered the kingdom unto the hand of Absolom thy son; and, behold, thou art [taken] in thine own mischief, because thou art a man of blood. (2Sa.16:9) Then said Abishai the son of Zeruah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse the lord my king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.  (10) And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Because he curseth, and because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David … Do you see that? “The Lord hath said unto him, ‘Curse David.’”

David wasn’t wrong here. The Lord works all things after the counsel of His Own Will (Ephesians 1:11). He sends wicked people to us to crucify this flesh. It’s His purpose to do that, just as He sent and used the hand of wicked men to crucify the Lord. (Act.2:23) Him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay. God used these vessels of dishonor. He used the people of Israel and He used the wicked Roman empire to crucify the Lord, as the Scripture says. 

It’s the same way with us. He put us here in the midst of a bunch of wolves. Jesus said, “I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves” (Luk.10:3). We have been put here for crucifixion and the world is designed to crucify us. If you don’t understand that, you don’t understand the sovereignty of God. God designed this world to crucify us. Jesus was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Stop and think. The lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Before Adam fell, God designed a Savior. Do you think we’re in Plan B? Nope. We’re in Plan A. There never has been a Plan B because God is sovereign. He designed this world to manifest sons and to do that you have to have a fallen nature to begin with. You have to have somebody who does not deserve God’s goodness. That’s where you have to start out because God wasn’t creating angels.  

If He was creating angels, He wouldn’t have had to make man at all. God didn’t want angels. He wanted somebody who was fallen and picked up by the grace of God. You remember what Jesus said to one of the Pharisees? (Luk.7:40) And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on. (41) A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty. (42) When they had not [wherewith] to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most? (43) Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.  

(47) Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little. In other words, “Who is forgiven much, loveth much.” See, we’re going to know how to love God because we don’t deserve anything. We have fallen and have been picked up by grace, not by our works, by grace. We don’t deserve anything but justice, but pray you don’t get it because God’s grace and mercy is far above justice. That’s why we have to be graceful with other people. Don’t give them what they deserve; you may get what you deserve. (Mat.7:2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. 

Don’t think that you’re going to give somebody justice because you’ll get it back. Give them mercy. Give them grace. God will judge them. God may even judge them out of your mouth, but understand that it won’t be with your flesh. The prophets spoke judgments. In the book of Revelation, prophets speak judgment (Revelation 11:6). I’m convinced that everything that happens in the book of Revelation comes out of the mouth of God’s children. Many of the curses today that are coming upon this world are coming out of the mouth of God’s children.  

In fact, I’m convinced that all of them do. God is bringing judgment and He’s doing it through His people. They’re speaking that judgment, but they’re not doing it with the arm of the flesh. You know, we can’t rise up against this government (Romans 13). If you do, God promises, “all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (26:52). But, we can tear down this government because God has a Kingdom that’s coming. The saints are going to possess the Kingdom and they’re going to take it from the beast. And they’re going to do it in the spirit realm. They are not going to do it in the flesh. In the flesh, they must be crucified. In the flesh, you must cease. You must desist. You must resist not him who is evil.  

In the spirit realm, we can do many mighty things. God has planned it that way so that your spirit man will be strong, but your flesh will be weak. That’s the way God’s salvation, God’s deliverance, is going to come. David understood that the Lord had commanded this and we need to understand this, too. All we have to do is read Job to see that circumstances are the same today as they were back then. (Job 2:10) … What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?…. And you know what? Job repented after God answered him in chapters 38-40. He repented of his self-righteousness. He repented in Job 42:1-6 and God gave him back what he’d lost in Job 42:10. But God used crucifixion in Job’s life. Job wasn’t physically doing wrong things; he wasn’t in outward immoral disobedience. His problem was self-righteousness. He had to repent and God brought this against him to bring him to repentance.  

David, too, was put in a position of crucifixion by God. God sent this enemy against him and David understood that. And he said, (2Sa.16:10) And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Because he curseth, and because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David; who then shall say, Wherefore hast thou done so? (11) And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, who came forth from my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more [may] this Benjamite now [do it]? let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. “The Lord hath bidden him.” Think about that the next time people come against you and want to put you on the cross but you keep wanting to climb down. We do want to climb down off that cross, but you can’t drive the nails. God has designed the wicked to put the cross in the ground and drive the nails. That’s their calling in this world.  

God has vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor. He has vessels of grace and vessels of wrath. They’re all going to do His Will, one way or the other. All things serve the Lord and He works all things after the counsel of His Own Will (Ephesians 1:11). If you understand this, you can walk in grace and peace in this world, no matter what comes against you, because God put you there for a purpose. He put you there to be crucified and He put you there so that you would learn to use the weapons of your warfare (2 Corinthians 10:4).  

You know, sometimes the Lord sends the devil against you just so you can defeat him. He’ll send him against you. He’ll send the enemy against you but He doesn’t want you to go against him by wrestling with flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Remember that the Bible says, “resist not him that is evil” (Mat.5:39). On the other hand, it says “resist the devil” (Jas.4:7). “Resist not him that is evil” is talking about man. We don’t wrestle with flesh and blood. When they wrestled with flesh and blood in the Old Testament, that was a type and shadow of them wrestling with principalities and powers. Go back over there and read the names of those kings and the names of those tribes that were conquered and study in the Hebrew what those names mean. You’re going to find out they’re all the lusts of the flesh and demon spirits.  

That’s who the Israelites were spiritually wrestling with and everything that happened to them was a type and a shadow for us. (1Co.10:11) Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come. So go back to the Old Testament and look at it carefully. You’ll see what they wrestled with. Today we think we’re supposed to carry on an Old Testament-type warfare in the way we war with people, but you can’t grow if you do that and God will chasten you if you do that because you’re rebelling against His Word. And David said, “the Lord hath bidden him” (2Sa.16:11). (12) It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will requite me good for [his] cursing of me this day. 

David is saying that the Lord will pay him back good for his resisting not evil. If the Lord’s going to bless you for it, go ahead and let them curse. Didn’t Jesus say you’d be blessed when men would curse you? Absolutely (Matthew 5:11). Didn’t He say the spirit of grace and the Spirit of God would rest upon you? Have you ever experienced that? I have. When I first learned of this doctrine, the Lord put me in situations where I did, by His grace, turn the other cheek and I felt the power of God on me for going through that. It’s just a great anointing that comes upon you when you obey God in the place where you want to defend yourself and you refuse to do it. You, instead, leave it in the hands of God and you won’t defend yourself.  

If you do defend self, then the old man will live; he’ll climb down off that cross. Even though he’s crucified, he’s not totally dead yet, so he can still climb down. It’s true that we have to reckon him dead (Romans 6:11), but until he is dead, don’t let him live; don’t feed him. Do you know what fasting is a type of? Well, when you fast, you’re not feeding the flesh. What does it do when you don’t feed it? It gets weak. What does that do? It makes the spiritual man strong. There’s a reason for fasting and there’s a spiritual type. The whole chapter of Isaiah 58 is talking about spiritual fasting, about denying yourself, so we see that they had a revelation of that in the Old Testament, too. (2Sa.16:13) So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. (14) And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary; and he refreshed himself there.  

Well, that wasn’t the end of the story. David never did do anything to Shimei but his son Solomon had him killed because he rebelled against his commands and left the city. It’s hard to comprehend why Shimei was so against David. My guess is he was a low-life who just didn’t want to understand the situation here. Anybody who was on Absalom’s side and saw righteousness in Absalom and not in David, and saw righteousness in Saul, and not in David, was in trouble. He was a sick son of the devil.